India, Feb. 17 -- Around 130 million girls and women in Africa were married before 18

One in three child brides globally lives on the continent

West and Central Africa record the highest prevalence rates

Climate shocks and conflict are worsening early marriage risks

Zambia cited as an example of progress through legal reform

A new African Union report says the continent is not on course to meet the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goal target of eliminating child marriage by 2030, warning that Africa could account for nearly half of the world's child brides by mid-century if current trends continue.

The findings are set out in the African Union Presidential Champion Report on Ending Child Marriage in Africa, launched ...